Top 5 Affordable Samsung Phones with Great Cameras (2025 Edition)
Want great photos without the flagship price tag? Here are five Samsung phones that punch above their weight on camera performance in 2025 — tested specs, real strengths, tradeoffs, and where to find them. Sources are linked so me and my readers can verify everything together, based on trusted reviews from GSMArena, TechRadar, and Samsung’s official website. Let’s dive in!
Quick disclaimer: All specs and prices cited are current at the time of writing and come from trusted tech outlets and official Samsung pages. Links are included throughout.
How I chose these phones
I picked devices that balance camera hardware (sensor size, optical image stabilisation — OIS, ultrawide/tele options) with real-world photo quality (software processing, image stabilization for video) and price. I prioritized recent A-series phones because Samsung’s A line now offers camera features that used to be flagship-only (and Samsung has been improving software processing and update support for these models).
Price framing: “Affordable” here means good camera performance in the mid-range or lower mid-range market. Prices change frequently — I include USD and GBP ballpark figures where reliable prices were available. Check the linked sources for region-specific pricing.
Top 5 affordable Samsung phones with great cameras — at a glance
- Samsung Galaxy A55 — Best overall camera in mid-budget
- Samsung Galaxy A35 — Best value: balance of price and camera ability
- Samsung Galaxy A15 — Great 50MP main sensor at a lower price
- Samsung Galaxy A23 — Proven 50MP main camera and reliable performance
- Samsung Galaxy A05 — Entry-level with surprising main-sensor value
📸 Samsung Galaxy A55 5G — The Midrange Camera King
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is the sweet spot between price and premium features — the kind of phone that makes you wonder why anyone pays $1,000 for a flagship. I’ve tested this model and, honestly, it handles daily shots better than many pricier phones in its range.
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| Image Credited GSMArena YouTube Official |
📷 Camera Highlights
- Main Sensor: 50 MP (OIS, f/1.8)
- Ultra-Wide: 12 MP, f/2.2
- Macro: 5 MP, f/2.4
- Front Camera: 32 MP, HDR support
In bright daylight, the A55 delivers sharp, color-accurate images with excellent dynamic range. The GSMArena review praises its balanced exposure and noise control — something even some flagships struggle with. Low-light performance is decent too, thanks to the improved sensor and Samsung’s image-processing magic.
💪 Real-World Experience
After using it for a week, I noticed how consistent it is — photos don’t oversaturate, and the portrait mode has solid edge detection. The 32 MP selfie camera, according to TechRadar’s review, gives natural skin tones, not the overly smooth look that cheaper phones often produce.
⚖️ Pros and Trade-Offs
- ✔ Great daylight and portrait shots
- ✔ Premium metal-glass build at a midrange price
- ✔ Strong performance with Exynos 1480
- ❌ Night shots can be soft in tricky lighting
- ❌ No telephoto lens (digital zoom only)
💰 Price and Availability
The Galaxy A55 5G currently sells for around $449 USD / £419 GBP depending on region (Samsung Official Store). That makes it one of the best camera-focused mid-range phones you can buy in 2025.
2. Samsung Galaxy A35 — Best value with dependable camera performance
The Galaxy A35 is the strongest “value” pick on this list. It typically arrives with a 50MP main camera (often with OIS depending on region), a capable ultrawide, and Samsung’s solid post-processing. It’s priced closer to the true budget-mid range while offering a camera system that outperforms cheaper competitors. Reviewers praise the A35 as one of Samsung’s best budget phones in recent years.
50 MP main, Ultrawide (8MP typical), 5000 mAh battery, Super AMOLED 120Hz, Exynos 1380 (or equivalent), multiple RAM/storage options. MSRP: varies — often around $300–$350 depending on offers.
Why get the A35
- Excellent price-to-camera balance: You get a real 50MP shooter and Samsung’s software without flagship pricing.
- Good display & build: 120Hz AMOLED and Gorilla Glass help it feel like a more expensive phone.
- Software support: Samsung’s multi-year update promise makes it a safer buy long term.
Trade-offs
It’s mid-range: don’t expect flagship-grade zoom or the absolute best low-light performance. But for most users — social creators, casual photographers, and anyone who wants clean daytime shots — the A35 is a winner.
3. Samsung Galaxy A15 — 50MP main sensor for budget buyers
The Galaxy A15 is a practical pick if you want the 50MP main sensor experience at a lower price point. It’s a frequently recommended budget phone thanks to its decent camera performance, respectable battery life, and simple software. Wikipedia and other specs aggregators list the A15 family’s camera package as a reliable performer in its class.
50 MP main, 5 MP ultrawide, 2 MP macro; 5000 mAh battery; MediaTek or Dimensity chipset in 5G variants; 6.5" AMOLED. Price: typically lower than A35/A55.
Why the A15 makes sense
- 50MP main camera: You get the resolution and flexibility for cropping and social sharing.
- Lower price point: Good for people who want decent photos without extra frills.
- Solid battery life: 5000 mAh keeps you shooting all day.
Trade-offs
Ultrawide and low-light may be weaker than the A35/A55; plus software processing isn’t as refined as higher-tier models. But for the price, it’s a compelling camera-first choice.
4. Samsung Galaxy A23 — tried-and-tested 50MP performer
The A23 has been around longer but remains a dependable, affordable camera phone with a 50MP main sensor and OIS in many variants. It’s a sensible choice for readers who want consistent photos and long battery life without a big price tag. (The A23’s specs are well documented in public spec listings.)
50 MP main (often with OIS in some variants), ultrawide, macro & depth camera options, 5000 mAh battery, 1080p video. Released: 2022 but still relevant for budget buyers.
Why consider the A23
- Price drops: Because it’s an older model, you can often find very attractive deals.
- Proven hardware: The 50MP sensor and software pipeline are well-optimized for typical everyday shots.
Trade-offs
Being older, it won’t get as many years of Android upgrades as newer A-series models, and its ultrawide/tele options are more basic. Still, it’s a solid budget pick if camera is the main priority.
5. Samsung Galaxy A05 — entry-level with surprising camera value
If you’re shopping strictly on budget, the Galaxy A05 (or similarly positioned entry models) sometimes ship with surprisingly capable main sensors — 50MP in certain variants — which is great for daylight shots and social media content. Expect trade-offs in processing and ultrawide/zoom features, but the main camera often beats the price point.
50 MP main (market-dependent), basic ultrawide/macro options, modest CPU, large battery, very low price vs other A-series models. Good for casual photography and social posting.
Who should buy the A05?
Buy this if your budget is tight and you mostly photograph in daylight. Don’t expect flagship low-light or telephoto performance. But for the price, the main camera can be surprisingly useful.
Practical tips to get the best camera results (regardless of phone)
- Turn on HDR / Scene Optimizer for high contrast scenes — Samsung’s software helps maintain highlight and shadow detail.
- Use OIS by default for video: Walk slowly, hold steady, and let stabilization do its job.
- Shoot in Pro/RAW mode occasionally: If your phone supports it (A55 does), Pro RAW gives more editing headroom for colour and exposure tweaks.
- Mind the light: These phones are strong in daylight; add a soft light source or use night mode for low-light shots.
- Update your phone: Samsung’s recent A-series models receive feature updates and camera-processing improvements — keep software current.
FAQs- Frequently Ask Questions
Q: Which of these phones has the best low-light camera?
A: The Galaxy A55 generally offers the best low-light performance thanks to OIS and a better image pipeline — followed by the A35. For true night photography you’ll still get better results from flagship Galaxy S models.
Q: Are these phones good for vlogging and video?
A: Yes — the A55 supports steady 4K video and image stabilization that makes it suitable for casual vlogging. The A35 and newer A-series also provide decent 1080p/4K options depending on region and model.
Q: Are megapixels everything?
A: No. Megapixels matter for cropping and detail, but sensor size, OIS, aperture, and software processing often matter more for everyday photo quality. A balanced spec sheet plus good post-processing is the real key.
Q: Where can I find official specs and current prices?
A: Use the official Samsung product pages and trusted reviews (Android Authority, TechRadar, The Verge) for up-to-date specs and MSRP. I’ve linked official pages and reviews in each phone section.
Verdict — which one should you buy?
If you want the most balanced camera experience without the flagship price, go for the Galaxy A55. If you want the best value where price matters most, the Galaxy A35 hits the sweet spot. The A15 and A23 are excellent budget shooters for daylight photos, and the A05 is the pragmatic low-cost pick with surprising value.
These phones make excellent everyday camera phones for social creators, students, and anyone who prioritizes photo quality on a budget. For the latest, always check the linked official pages and reviews because prices and regional variants change frequently.
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👨💻 About the Author
iSamuel is a tech enthusiast and the founder of ByteCascade — a blog that simplifies technology with honest reviews, practical guides, and smart digital insights. When he’s not writing, he’s exploring new gadgets and AI tools to make life a bit easier.